Exploring Destinations: FOSSMEC session at KGiSL — KITE

A one day session at Coimbatore to introduce FOSS

It all began with an unexpected mail one evening from Ms. Sarojini from Coimbatore. She expressed her appreciation on reading my article about 6 types of people in computer science and showed her interest to further converse to see how FOSSMEC might be able to develop the student community at KiTE.

This was the first time my work was being recognized by an establishment and it truly felt fulfilling.

I spoke with Sarojini Madam the following day and explained to her how FOSS culture developed in Kerala and its positive impacts. She expressed her interest to prepare a document based on the points I shared with her, which she later request me to mail as well.

I felt it was important to explain the concept of FOSS and Open Source so sent a mail to explain the same.

After discussing with the CEO and MD, she invited us to interact with their students. At first I was reluctant as I felt I was not the right person to introduce them as it would be hypocrisy (I did not contribute to the open source at that point). However, I proposed the following plan in collaboration with a few of my peers.

We received thumbs up for this plan and so proceed with the necessary preparatory steps. The session was on 14th July and the report is as follows.

(It was KiTE that I learned from Sarojini Madam that Mr. Ashok, the MD of KGiSL was the one who discovered my work and felt the necessity to share the message with his students)

The following students from FOSSMEC, the open source community of Govt. Model Engineering College organized a one day session on 14th July 2019 at KiTE, KGiSL, Coimbatore:

1. Anusree Saji (CS7A)

2. Devdutt Shenoi (CS5A)

3. L Bharath Kumar (CS7A)

4. Joel V Zachariah (CS7A)

We invited Subin Siby from Vidya Institute of Science and Technology to interact as well as he has commendable amount of experience in free and open source projects. A detailed report of the session (with supporting images) is provided below:

The session began by 9 AM. Dr. Ashok, the MD of the establishment, felicitated the students who performed well in the 100DaysOfCode Challenge that they organized to encourage students to develop their programming skills. Dr. Ashok introduced us to the gathering as well.

Sir explained why the institution is taking extensive steps to empower the students and why they should ensure that they maximize these chances.

We encouraged students to ask questions and interact with the resources we brought to help them understand potential of open source.

The session began by 10.30 AM with my talk on the 6 types of people in computer science and how students can develop their skills by climbing up this ladder. Next, Subin Siby introduced FOSS to the gathering by explaining the importance of digital freedom and open source in today’s world.

After the lunch break, Anusree introduced the female students to the opportunities available for women in the field of technology and how it is important that they maximize those chances. Bharat took a session explaining why those who love solving problems should try competitive programming and develop their programming results as a result.

Devdutt spoke about research scope in FOSS and how the students can leverage open source tools to improve their growth potential in the field. The sessions concluded by 2.30 PM and FOSSMEC agreed to extend its support to develop the Open Source Club of KiTE.

I am grateful for this opportunity and hope to keep encouraging students, in collaboration with like minded peers, to improve in the time to come.